Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus in Mumbai, and immunogenicity and safety of hepatitis A vaccine.
OBJECTIVE
Since epidemiologic trends of hepatitis A are changing worldwide, we studied its seroprevalence in Mumbai, which is thought to be a high-endemicity area. The immunogenicity and safety of a hepatitis A vaccine were also studied.


METHODS
Six hundred and seventy subjects (456 men; age range 6 mo-60 y) answered a questionnaire on social and medical history. Qualitative analysis of total anti-HAV was performed in all subjects by ELISA. One hundred and seven of 147 anti-HAV negative subjects received hepatitis A vaccine at months 0, 1 and 6. Subjects were followed up (months 1, 2, 6, 7) to look for side-effects and seroconversion.


RESULTS
The seroprevalence of HAV was 523/670 (78%); 38% of children < 5 years were anti-HAV negative. Seroprevalence rates of 80% were reached by 15 years. Prevalence was lower in the higher socio-economic group (151/234; 64.5%) compared with the lower socio-economic group (372/436; 85%) (p < 0.001). One month after doses 1, 2 and 3 of the hepatitis A vaccine, seropositivity was 92%, 99% and 100%, respectively. Minor self-limited side-effects occurred in 19.5% of subjects; there were no major side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence of anti-HAV is high in Mumbai. Seroprevalence is lower in the higher socio-economic groups. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and immunogenic.
Dhawan
P S
PS
Department of Gastroenterology, BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai.
Shah
S S
SS
Alvares
J F
JF
Kher
A
A
Shankaran
Kandoth
P W
PW
Sheth
P N
PN
Kamath
H
H
Kamath
A
A
Koppikar
G V
GV
Kalro
R H
RH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines